How did you choose your Cambridge International subjects, and then your degree?
I didn’t have a clear career path in mind so I studied a strategic mix of subjects. I had a passion for accounts, which I had studied at Cambridge IGCSE, so chose Accounting and also Maths to prepare me for a possible business course. I studied History to improve my critical thinking and analytical skills, and Economics to help my essay writing and research abilities.
My Cambridge International AS Level English Language also helped improve my linguistic skills and my ability to ‘read between the lines’ which helped me a lot in my university studies. When it came to university, I originally considered journalism as a future career, then business, but as I began to develop my critical thinking and analytical skills, and to read around different subjects, I decided to study law at OP Jindal Global University.
How did your Cambridge qualifications support your move to university?
My Cambridge studies helped me make a smooth transition from school to university. For example, as an undergraduate I had to write research papers, make extensive notes and analyse texts, and by using the skills I developed during my Cambridge studies my university progress was actually faster than that of my my peers. In addition,
I had already covered some degree course content at school (such as corporate finance, part of the Cambridge International A Level Accounting syllabus), and the Cambridge exam process was excellent training. I knew how to manage my time, especially when revising, so when friends would still be studying the day before the exam I would be relaxing and checking last-minute notes. I also took part in a summer school placement at Oxford University, and a semester exchange with the University of Queensland in Australia, and found I could easily adjust to the method of teaching and assessment – more so than others on the course.
Did you also take part in extra-curricular activities at school and university?
At school I volunteered to teach English and Maths to students from lower income backgrounds and continued this at university, especially post-Covid when schools were closed and many children couldn’t access online classes. During that time, I partnered with community radio to raise Covid awareness, helped my family set up an adult learning centre, and was elected president of the local Rotaract Club (part of Rotary International).
As president, I worked to support the professional and social development of youth and women from low income backgrounds, carried out cleaning drives and tree planting, and distributed period products amongst low income groups. As a result of my community work I was awarded a citation from Rotaract, and received the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Institution Building by OP Jindal Global University.
How did you prepare for your career, and what are you doing now?
While studying law I completed a number of internships at organisations including startups, think tanks, corporates and in court, to gain experience of working in different legal spheres. I graduated from OP Jindal Global University in 2021, with a first class honours degree, and joined the University’s Centre for India-Australia Studies for six months, working on a joint project with the University of Queensland (UQ), in Australia, on corporate governance and women on the board in India-Australia.
Now I am a student at UQ pursuing a Dual Masters in International Commercial Law and Commerce, majoring in Information Systems. I have also been elected representative for postgraduate students at UQ, which will further enhance my advocacy skills.
In addition, in 2020, while studying online in Delhi, I started my own small enterprise which manufactures bio-compostable packaging and cutlery. I look after the firm’s marketing, legal compliance and online presence and as legislation changes and people become more sustainable in their consumption, the business is slowly growing.
Would you recommend Cambridge qualifications to other students planning to go to university and onto a good career?
It was only in high school that I opted to study with Cambridge and I’m glad I made the move. It gave me a much better perspective on the world, and introduced me to a more holistic learning approach. My Cambridge studies taught me to how to manage my time effectively, which has helped me in my various activities, and enhanced time-saving skills such as note-taking.
I also learnt how to strategise, and gained an understanding of how organisations are run which supported me when I launched my own start-up. I believe these skills also help me in my role as UQ’s postgraduate officer, including managing budgets and organising events. It is always said that a firm base is important for growth. In my opinion my Cambridge studies have been the base for everything I’ve done, and have given me the skills that are helping me grow.